X-Factor Names Top 12 Finalists

After the X-Factor began performances at the fantastic new X-Factor stage this week, the judges have pared down the competition and selected its top 12 finalists.

These 12 individuals and groups have made the cut and are moving on to next weeks live performances where they will battle it out for America's votes. As I'm sure you know, the four categories of performers are Girls, Boys, Groups, and over-30.

Some early fan favorites like Chris Rene and Stacy Francis have made the cut, along with a pack of very young performers like 13-year-old Rachel Crow, 14-year-old Drew and 15-year-old boy rapper Astro. Here are the top 12 finalists.

Simon Cowell will be mentoring the Girls:

Melanie Amaro

Rachel Crow

Drew

L.A. Reid will be mentoring the Boys:

Astro

Marcus Canty

Chris Rene

Nicole Scherzinger will mentor the Over 30's:

LeRoy Bell

Stacy Francis

Josh Krajcik

Paula Abdul will mentor the Groups:

InTENsity

Lakoda Rayne

The Stereo Hogzz

Back when American Idol pioneered the whole "America Votes" style of TV competition show, the only way to save your favorite performers was by sitting on the phone for hours constantly redialing I-800-IDOL-05. Now the X-Factor has kicked it up a notch. Fans can vote for their favorites in one of five different ways.

Voting will take place on 1) twitter at twitter.thexfactorusa.com; 2) by using The Xtra Factor App on Verizon Android devices; 3) by old fashioned toll-free calling; 4) Text messaging if you have Verizon and 5) on facebook online at Facebook.com/TheXFactorUSA.

The Top 12 will take the stage LIVE on Wednesday November 2, 2011 for their career making performances. The contestants will join together with their vocal coaches, choreographers, and style teams in their quest for the title and a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.

Then on Thursday November 3, tune in for the first LIVE results show in US X-Factor history and one finalist is eliminated from the competition.